The Nature of Science

The Nature of Science

1. Astronomy

   • Objects beyond Earth's atmosphere
   • Earth's neighbors, distant stars, and other cosmic bodies

2. Meteorology

   • Forces and processes that produce weather
   • Blanket of air that surrounds Earth

3. Geology

   • Materials that make up Earth
   • Rocks, glacial, movements, and clues to Earth's history

4. Oceanography

   • Physical and chemical properties of the ocean
   • Creatures that inhabit salty water

5. Subspecialties

   • Climatology
   • Hydrology
     • Water flow on and below Earth's surface
   • Paleontology
     • Study of ancient enviorments
   • Geochemistry
     • The processes that change Earth's composition

6. Parts of the Earth

   • Lithosphere
     • Rigid outer shell
   • Hydrosphere
     • The water in Earth's oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and glaciers
   • Atmosphere
     • The blanket of gases that surround Earth
   • Asthenosphere
     • Partially molten layer of the mantle
   • Biosphere
     • Includes all organisms on Earth and the enviorments they live in